Questions raised whether Cuomo can investigate Legislature

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- As New York's Legislature prepares to pass late-session deals with Gov. Andrew Cuomo into law, two of the biggest measures are being questioned.

Cuomo said Wednesday he'll create a panel under the state's powerful Moreland Act to investigate lawmakers because of the latest string of corruption cases.

But academic and former Assemblyman Richard Brodsky says Thursday the law doesn't allow the executive branch to directly investigate another branch.

Cuomo says he can avoid that prohibition by investigating through the Board of Elections.

The state Attorney General's Office declined to comment, but referred to the law. The law is less clear about whether that probe can extend to people, such as legislators, who interact with those agencies.